Meekins Middle School students competed in the Science Olympics Friday in Little Rock.

The students of Meekins Middle School were accompanied by their teachers, Heidi Clanton, sixth-grade science teacher and Kari Sylvia, fifth-grade science teacher.

"This was our first year to compete," Clanton said. "We didn't finish with a gold medal, but maybe next year."

Clanton said the competition was very good for the students to participate in because the learning process in the different aspects of the competition was very challenging.

"There were different areas they had to complete and compete in," Clanton said. "They also had to build things."

According to Clanton, the different classroom skills they had to integrate with the actual hands-on building were that of measurements, problem solving and research.

"They built a car out of Legos and raced it," Clanton said."They also identified all parts of the heart and digestive system."

Kathy Hopson, principal of Meekins Middle School, said the fifth- and sixth-grade teachers have really worked hard to teach Common Core and STEM standards to the students.

"They have high expectations for all students while keeping the classroom environment engaging," Hopson said. "I am very proud of them."

The fifth-grade students received one bronze medal for Archimedes boat, which was created to hold pennies without sinking; one bronze medal for the Heart Walk, which was to identify all parts of the heart; and one silver medal for the Mini Brick Derby race, which had to be a constructed car and had to be raced.

The sixth-grade students received one bronze medal for the Digestive Walk, which was to identify all parts of the digestive system; one bronze medal for Straw Tower, which was constructed out of straw and had to be able to hold the most load; and one silver medal for Heart Walk, which was to identify all parts of the heart.